German chancellor names air defence as Ukraine's biggest weakness: "We're looking for solutions"

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he is working to find solutions to strengthen Ukraine's air defence, which he described as Kyiv's biggest weakness at present.

Source: DW, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Speaking at a press briefing in Berlin, Merz said he is trying to secure replenishment of air defence equipment for Ukraine through personal conversations with a number of heads of state and government around the world.

"This is currently the weakest point. I hope we'll manage to prepare Ukraine for the coming winter, including in the area of energy supply," the chancellor said.

Merz also said he is holding intensive consultations with European partners on strengthening support for Ukraine ahead of the European Council meeting due to take place on 15-16 October in Brussels.

This includes, in particular, "very concrete support for Ukraine's budget" and ways to make use of all possible options to strengthen air defence, he added.

Merz stressed that, for his part, he will do everything he can to help Ukraine get through what is "likely to be a very, very difficult winter".

Background:

• On 29 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had received air defence support packages from a number of countries.
• European Pravda also reported, citing sources, on the possibility that one or several EU member states could transfer Patriot interceptors they already have to Ukraine, with Ukraine using funds from the €90 billion loan to order an equivalent number of missiles for that state from the US manufacturer.

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